Fiber optic connector storage apparatus and methods for using the same

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic connector storage apparatus for storing a fiber optic connector having an exposed ferrule includes a housing and a dust cap portion. The housing defines a socket to receive and hold the fiber optic connector. The dust cap portion is integral with the housing and is configured to receive and protect the exposed ferrule when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the socket.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority fromU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/606,736, filed Oct. 27, 2009, whichclaims the benefit of and priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/110,017, filed Oct. 31, 2008, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to optical fiber communications and, moreparticularly, to fiber optic connector storage apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical fiber networks are increasingly being installed to support highspeed voice and data communications. Increasingly, the optical fibercoupling is being expanded out from the central office of thecommunication service provider companies, such as Regional BellOperating Companies (RBOCs) to the subscriber locations, such as homesor businesses, where conventional copper wiring was conventionally used.In various locations in a fiber optic network, prepositioned opticalconnectors must be stored and organized for use at a time later thanwhen they are initially installed. This process is commonly known asparking a connector. Such is the case for optical splitter cabinets thatrequire parking of splitter outputs. These outputs, at time ofconstruction, use an apparatus and methodology for organizing theconnectors that are awaiting connection to customers yet to be defined.Yet another example is the case for connectors that have beenprepositioned in Multi Dwelling Units (MDU's). These parked connectorsfacilitate an expedited final installation when a subscriber decides totake service. The parking can be reused when a subscriber decides toterminate service and the optical feed requires disconnection andstorage for later reuse, for example.

Some conventional methods and practices used for storing unusedconnectors include using a standard adapter and a separate dust cap thatcan be fitted on an end of a ceramic sleeve forming a part of theadapter. This method may be costly because it incorporates a precisionmetal or ceramic sleeve that is found in adapters. In addition, theconnector's ceramic ferrule end face is generally not environmentallysealed against contaminants from the atmosphere. Another known methodeliminates the sleeve section of the adapter and allows an appropriatelysized dust cap pre-mounted on the connector to be inserted into theadapter. This method requires the person installing the connector toremove the dust cap by hand upon removal from the adapter. With nointegrated place to store the dust cap for later use, the removed dustcap typically becomes litter that is dropped on the ground around theenclosure as the installer focuses on the work at hand. As opticalcomponents enter living units, the random discarding of dust caps maypresent a choking hazard to small children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the present invention, a fiber opticconnector storage apparatus for storing a fiber optic connector havingan exposed ferrule includes a housing and a dust cap portion. Thehousing defines a socket to receive and hold the fiber optic connector.The dust cap portion is integral with the housing and is configured toreceive and protect the exposed ferrule when the fiber optic connectoris inserted into the socket.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an optical fibermanagement system for use with a fiber optic connector having an exposedferrule includes an interconnect cabinet and a fiber optic connectorstorage apparatus. The interconnect cabinet has a mounting panel. Thefiber optic connector storage apparatus includes a housing and a dustcap portion. The housing is mounted on the mounting panel and defines asocket to receive and hold the fiber optic connector. The dust capportion is integral with the housing and is configured to receive andprotect the exposed ferrule when the fiber optic connector is insertedinto the socket.

According to method embodiments of the present invention, a method forstoring a fiber optic connector having an exposed ferrule includesproviding a fiber optic connector storage apparatus including: a housingdefining a socket to receive and hold the fiber optic connector; and adust cap portion integral with the housing and configured to receive andprotect the exposed ferrule when the fiber optic connector is insertedinto the socket. The method further includes inserting the fiber opticconnector into the socket such that the exposed ferrule thereof isreceived in and protected by the dust cap portion.

Further features, advantages and details of the present invention willbe appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading ofthe figures and the detailed description of the embodiments that follow,such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a parking device according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the parking device of FIG. 1wherein a housing thereof is shown in cross-section.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dust cap sleeve forming a part of theparking device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the parking device of FIG. 1wherein the housing is shown in cross-section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connectorized optical fiber (pigtail)for use with the parking device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connectorized optical fiber of FIG.5 installed in the parking device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connectorized opticalfiber of FIG. 5 installed in the parking device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter that can replace theparking device of FIG. 1 in a panel.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an optical fiber management system accordingto embodiments of the present invention and including a plurality of theparking devices of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of a parking device accordingto further embodiments of the present invention and a connectorizedoptical fiber.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of the parking device ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the parking device of FIG. 10 withthe connectorized optical fiber installed in a socket thereof.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a parking device according tofurther embodiments of the present invention and a connectorized opticalfiber.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of the parking device ofFIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manyalternate forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout the description of the figures.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items.

It will be understood that, when an element is referred to as being“coupled” to another element, it can be directly coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly coupled” to another element,there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense expresslyso defined herein.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide fiber opticconnector storage apparatus and methods for using the same that may bebeneficial in optical enclosure environments as will now be describedwith reference to the embodiments illustrated in the Figures. Fiberoptic connector storage apparatus (parking devices) according to someembodiments of the present invention may be used in closures, cabinets,boxes, shelves and the like. They may be arranged in a group to form abulk head or provided as a single device intended for just one fiberoptic connector. These parking devices may be placed on a panel or inany suitable location that would allow reasonable access to the parkedfiber optic connector.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a fiber optic connector storage apparatusor parking device 100 according to some embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described. The parking device 100 can be used totemporarily store an optical fiber connector 50 (FIG. 5), for example.The parking device 100 may be mounted in a cabinet, such as aninterconnect cabinet or fiber distribution hub, for example. The parkingdevice 100 includes an adapter housing 110 and a dust cap portion orassembly 130.

With reference to FIG. 5, the connector 50 is exemplary and may be, forexample, an FC-type or SC-type connector terminating an optical fiber 58to form a connectorized optical fiber (also referred to as a pigtail)51. The optical fiber 58 includes a waveguide (typically formed ofglass). The waveguide may be protected by a resin and/or jacket, forexample, outside of the connector 50.

As shown, the connector 50 is an SC-type fiber optic connector. Theconnector 50 includes an outer housing 52, a forward tubular housing 54,a strain relief boot 55, and a ferrule 56 (e.g., formed of ceramic). Thewaveguide of the optical fiber 58 extends into the connector 50 andthrough the ferrule 56 and terminates at a waveguide end face 58Aadjacent or coincident with an end face 56A of the ferrule 56. Theferrule 56 has a smaller diameter or width than those of the housings52, 54. The outer diameter of the ferrule 56 and the inner diameter ofthe housing 54 define an annular passage or slot 57 therebetween. Latchdetents 52A are provided on the sides of the housing 52.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the parking device 100 includes an adapterhousing 110. The adapter housing 110 defines a through passage or socket112 communicating with an entry end opening 114A and an opposing rearend opening 114B. Device mount tabs 116 may be provided to secure thehousing 110 to a panel or the like. Connector latch structures 120 anddust cap latch structures 122 are provided in the socket 112. The socket112 may be sized and shaped to satisfy a prescribed standard for theintended connector 50.

The dust cap assembly 130, as best seen in FIG. 2, includes a mounthousing 132 having detents 134 configured to securely interlock with thelatch structures 122. A dust cap sleeve 136 is fixed within the mounthousing 132. The dust cap sleeve 136 has an inner passage 136B, an entryend opening 136A communicating with the passage 136B, and a closed endwall 136C opposite the opening 136A. The inner passage 136B defines aparking device insertion axis A-A (FIG. 4).

The dust cap assembly 130 is installed in the adapter housing 110 asshown in FIG. 4. This may be accomplished by assembly at the factory orin the field by an installer. The dust cap assembly 130 is effectivelycaptured within the socket 112 by engagement between the latchstructures 122 and the detents 134. With the ferrule 56 exposed, theconnector 50 is inserted along the insertion axis A-A into the socket112 through the entry end opening 114A as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Theconnector 50 is held or locked in place by engagement between thelatches 120 and the detents 52A.

Additionally, as the connector 50 is inserted in the socket 112, theferrule 56 slides into the passage 136B of the dust cap sleeve 136. Theparking device 100 will thereby also protect the fiber end face 58A. Alead portion of the dust cap sleeve 136 may slide into the forwardtubular housing 54 of the connector 50. The interlock between thelatches 122 and the detents 134 limits or prevents the dust cap assembly130 from being dislodged from the adapter housing 110 when the connector50 is inserted. That is, the grip of the latches 122 on the dust capassembly 130 is sufficient to resist the force applied by the ferrule 56entering the snug fitting dust cap sleeve 136 without allowing the dustcap assembly 130 to be ejected thereby from the adapter housing 110.

According to some embodiments, when the connector 50 is fully seated inthe socket 112, the ferrule end face 56A and the fiber end face 58A willoppose the end wall 136C and may be closely adjacent or, less typically,in contact with the end wall 136C. According to some embodiments, atleast 66% of the exposed length of the ferrule 56 is disposed in thepassage 136B. According to some embodiments, the interior of the dustcap sleeve 136 defined by the passage 136B will conform to or fit snuglyor form-fitting against the side wall of the ferrule 56. According tosome embodiments, the dust cap sleeve 136 will form an air-tight sealabout the ferrule 56. In some embodiments, the dust cap sleeve 136 isresilient and elastic and the inner diameter of the dust cap sleeve 136is substantially the same as or less than the outer diameter of theferrule 56. According to some embodiments, the sleeve passage 136B issized and configured to resist or even prevent insertion of a ferrulehaving a dust cap thereon into the dust cap sleeve 136.

The connector 50 may subsequently be withdrawn from the socket 112,whereupon the ferrule 56 is removed from the dust cap sleeve 136. Thedust cap sleeve 136 will be retained in the socket 112 (as shown in FIG.4) by the interlock between the latches 122 and the detents 134. Theremoved connector 50 may be reinstalled in another socket or jack tomake an interconnection to enable service to a customer via the pigtail51, for example.

The housings 110, 132 and the dust cap sleeve 136 may be formed of anysuitable material(s). According to some embodiments, these componentsare molded polymers. According to some embodiments, the dust cap sleeve136 is formed of a different material than the housing 110. According tosome embodiments, the dust cap sleeve 136 is formed of a softer materialthan the housing 110. According to some embodiments, the dust cap sleeve136 is formed of a polymeric material having a hardness less than thatof the housing 110. According to some embodiments, the dust cap sleeve136 is formed of a material having a Shore D hardness in the range offrom about 45 to 90. According to some embodiments, the housing 110 isformed of a material having a Rockwell Hardness in the range of fromabout R90 to R120. According to some embodiments, the dust cap sleeve136 is formed of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene,polypropylene and/or polyvinyl chloride. The adapter housing 110 and thedust cap mount housing 132 may be formed of ABS-poly(acylonitrile,butadiene, styrene), or polycarbonate plastic.

The parking device 100 can overcome the problems discussed hereinaboveby providing an apparatus for temporarily storing a fiber opticconnector or pigtail such that the ferrule thereof is protected fromdust or other environmental contaminants. The parking device 100 enablesthe connector 50 to be installed with the ferrule 56 exposed (i.e.,without a dust cover or cap on the ferrule 56) so that the ferrule 56can be protected without requiring the provision or subsequent handlingof such a dust cover or cap.

According to some embodiments, the parking device 100 is configured tofit the dimensional requirements of a standard fiber optic connectoradapter used to mate two connectors (i.e., the parking device 100 hasthe same outer form factor as a standard fiber optic connector adapter).In this case, the parking device 100 may be removed from the mountingpanel and replaced with an adapter 70 (e.g., a SC adapter) as shown inFIG. 8 including an outer housing 72 and a ceramic adapter guide sleeve74.

With reference to FIG. 9, an exemplary optical fiber management system301 according to some embodiments of the present invention is showntherein. The system 301 includes an interconnect cabinet 300 and aplurality of the parking devices 100 mounted therein. The interconnectcabinet 300 may be constructed and used, for example, as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,142,764 to Allen et al., the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

The interconnect cabinet 300 includes an enclosure 302 defining achamber 310 and having a backwall 302A. Subscriber cables 5 and outsideoffice plant (OSP) cables 10 feed into the chamber 310. Splitter modules340 are mounted on the backwall 302A and have connectorized fiber opticpigtails 51 extending therefrom. A termination panel 330 is furthermounted in the enclosure 302 and has a connection member 320 includingan array of sockets 321 configured to receive the connectors 50 of theconnectorized pigtails 51.

The parking devices 100 are securely mounted in openings 302B in thebackwall 302A using the device mount tabs 116, for example. Asillustrated, the parking devices 100 are provided in a 2×6 array;however, it will be appreciated that other numbers and arrangements maybe employed.

In use, certain of the pigtails 51A may not yet be needed to connect anoptical fiber of the subscriber cable 5 to an optical fiber of the OSPcable 10. In this case, the connectors 50 of these unused pigtails 51Amay be parked in selected ones of the parking devices 100 mounted on thebackwall 302A. When desired, a pigtail 51B can be pulled out of itsassociated parking device 100 and plugged into an appropriate one of thesockets 321 as shown.

According to some embodiments, the parking device (or devices) 100 isprovided or supplied as a unit or kit with a splitter module 340 and oneor more fiber optic pigtails 51 extending from the splitter module 340.The parking device 100 may be pre-installed on the connector 50 of thepigtail 51 and the parking device 100 can be installed in the backwall302A as discussed above (if desired, without removing the parking device100 from the connector 50).

With reference to FIGS. 10-12, a parking device 200 according to furtherembodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The parkingdevice 200 includes an adapter housing 210 and a dust cap member 230.

The adapter housing 210 defines a plurality of serially and linearlyarranged sockets 212. Each socket 212 has an entry end opening 214A, anopposite end opening 214B .(FIG. 12), and latch structures 220 (FIG. 11)corresponding to features 114A, 114B, and 120, respectively. Devicemount tabs 216 (shown as snap tabs in FIGS. 10-12) are provided tosecure the housing 210 to a panel or the like.

The dust cap member 230 includes a base strip 232 and a plurality ofserially and linearly arranged dust cap sleeves 236 projecting from aside of the base strip 232. The base strip 232 and the dust cap sleeves236 may be integrally unitarily molded. Each dust cap sleeve 236 (FIG.11) defines an inner passage 236B extending from an entry end opening236A to an opposing end wall 236C.

The dust cap member 230 is mounted on the rear side of the housing 210such that the dust cap sleeves 236 each extend into a respective one ofthe sockets 212 through the corresponding end opening 214B. According tosome embodiments, the base strip 232 substantially fully covers the endopenings 214B. The dust cap member 230 is securely affixed to thehousing 210 by integral projections 236D that engage respective detents214C in the housing 210 (FIG. 11). However, the dust cap member 230 maybe affixed to the housing 210 by any other suitable mechanism, such asvia snap fit, adhesive, adhesive tape, mechanical fasteners, weldingand/or co-molding.

The parking device 200 can be used in the same manner as discussed abovewith regard to the parking device 100. Optical fiber connectors 50 canbe inserted in each socket 212 and dust cap sleeve 236 along arespective insertion axis A-A (FIG. 12), and thereby parked in thesocket 212 and dust cap sleeve 236. The connector latches 220 may holdeach connector 50 while the dust cap sleeves 236 protect the fiber endfaces of the connectors 50.

The housing 210 and the dust cap sleeve 236 may be formed of the samerespective materials as described above with regard to the housing 110and the dust cap sleeve 136.

The housing 210 may be interchangeable in a panel with a fiber opticadapter having the same or similar form factor.

While a linear array of sockets 212 and dust cap sleeves 236 is providedin the parking device 200, parking devices according to some embodimentsof the present invention may be configured in other manners, such as atwo-dimensional array of protected sockets.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a parking device 400 according tofurther embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. Theparking device 400 includes an adapter housing 410 and a dust cap member430, which may be formed in the same manner as the adapter housing 210and the dust cap member 230, except as follows. The parking device 400differs from the parking device 200 in that the dust cap member 430 issecured to the housing 410 by an interference fit between insertportions 436E of the base strip 432 and slots 417 (FIG. 14) in thehousing 410.

Parking devices as disclosed herein may be installed into an intendedapplication (e.g., in a interconnect cabinet) using any suitablemechanism(s) such as via snap in latch/latches, mechanical fasteners, oradhesives.

While various techniques have been described herein for making the dustcap members 130, 230, 430 integral with the housings 110, 210, 410, anyother suitable techniques or mechanisms may be used. For example, inparking devices according to embodiments of the present invention, thedust cover portion can be coupled or integrated with the correspondinghousing by a snap fit, adhesive, adhesive tape, mechanical fasteners,welding, and/or co-molding. In some embodiments, the dust cover portionand the housing may be formed of the same material and unitarily molded(i.e., molded as one piece) and/or machined from a unitary member.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended tocover the structures described herein as performing the recited functionand not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative ofthe present invention and is not to be construed as limited to thespecific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosedembodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by thefollowing claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

1. A fiber optic connector storage apparatus for storing a fiber opticconnector having a connector housing and an exposed ferrule extendingfrom the connector housing, the fiber optic connector storage apparatuscomprising: an adapter housing defining a socket to receive and hold theconnector housing, the adapter housing including a panel mountingstructure configured to secure the fiber optic connector storageapparatus to a mounting panel; and a dust cap portion integral with theadapter housing and configured to receive and protect the exposedferrule when the connector housing is inserted into the socket.
 2. Thefiber optic connector storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the panelmounting structure includes a mount tab configured to receive a fastenerto secure the fiber optic connector storage apparatus to the mountingpanel.
 3. The fiber optic connector storage apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe panel mounting structure includes a snap tab to secure the fiberoptic connector storage apparatus to the mounting panel.
 4. The fiberoptic connector storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dust capportion is configured to conform to the ferrule when the exposed ferruleis inserted in the dust cap portion to limit exposure of the ferrule tocontaminants.
 5. The fiber optic connector storage apparatus of claim 4wherein the dust cap portion is configured to form an air-tight fitabout the exposed ferrule when the exposed ferrule is inserted in thedust cap portion.
 6. The fiber optic connector storage apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the adapter housing includes a connector mountingstructure configured to secure the connector housing in the socket whenthe connector housing is inserted into the socket.
 7. The fiber opticconnector storage apparatus of claim 6 wherein the connector mountingstructure includes a connector latch structure configured to interlockwith the connector housing and thereby secure the connector housing inthe socket.
 8. The fiber optic connector storage apparatus of claim 1wherein the dust cap portion is separately formed from and coupled tothe adapter housing.
 9. The fiber optic connector storage apparatus ofclaim 8 including a retention mechanism configured to releasably securethe dust cap portion to the adapter housing.
 10. The fiber opticconnector storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the adapter housingdefines a plurality of sockets each configured to receive and hold aconnector housing of a respective fiber optic connector; and the fiberoptic connector storage apparatus includes a plurality of dust capportions integral with the adapter housing and associated with arespective one of the plurality of sockets, wherein each dust capportion is configured to receive the respective connector housing andprotect the exposed ferrule thereof when the respective connectorhousing is inserted into the socket.
 11. The fiber optic connectorstorage apparatus of claim 10 wherein the dust cap portions each form apart of an integral dust cap member.
 12. The fiber optic connectorstorage apparatus of claim 11 wherein the integral dust cap member isseparately formed from and coupled to the adapter housing.
 13. The fiberoptic connector storage apparatus of claim 12 wherein the integral dustcap member includes a mechanical retention structure to couple theintegral dust cap member to the adapter housing.
 14. The fiber opticconnector storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber optic connectoris an FC-type fiber optic connector or an SC-type fiber optic connector.15. The fiber optic connector storage apparatus of claim 1 including: asplitter module; a connectorized optical fiber having one end adjoiningthe splitter module and a fiber optic connector mounted on an opposedend; wherein the connector housing is installed in the socket so thatthe splitter module is coupled to the adapter housing by theconnectorized optical fiber.
 16. An optical fiber management system foruse with a fiber optic connector having a connector housing and anexposed ferrule extending from the connector housing, the optical fibermanagement system comprising: an interconnect cabinet having a mountingpanel; and a fiber optic connector storage apparatus including: anadapter housing mounted on the mounting panel and defining a socket toreceive and hold the connector housing; and a dust cap portion integralwith the adapter housing and configured to receive and protect theexposed ferrule when the connector housing is inserted into the socket.17. The optical fiber management system of claim 16 wherein the adapterhousing includes a panel mounting structure securing the fiber opticconnector storage apparatus to the mounting panel.
 18. The optical fibermanagement system of claim 16 including: a splitter module mounted onthe interconnect cabinet; a connectorized optical fiber having one endadjoining the splitter module and a fiber optic connector mounted on anopposed end; wherein the connector housing is installed in the socket sothat the splitter module is coupled to the adapter housing by theconnectorized optical fiber.
 19. A method for storing a fiber opticconnector having a connector housing and an exposed ferrule extendingfrom the connector housing, the method comprising: providing a fiberoptic connector storage apparatus including: an adapter housing mountedon a mounting panel and defining a socket to receive and hold theconnector housing; and a dust cap portion integral with the housing andconfigured to receive and protect the exposed ferrule when the connectorhousing is inserted into the socket; and with the adapter housingmounted on the mounting panel, inserting the connector housing into thesocket such that the exposed ferrule is received in and protected by thedust cap portion.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the adapter housingincludes a panel mounting structure and the method includes securing thefiber optic connector storage apparatus to the mounting panel using thepanel mounting structure.
 21. The method of claim 19 including: removingthe fiber optic connector from the socket and the dust cap portion; andthereafter inserting the fiber optic connector in an interconnectionjack to effect an optical fiber communication link through the fiberoptic connector.
 22. A fiber optic connector storage apparatus forstoring a fiber optic connector having a connector housing and anexposed ferrule extending from the connector housing, the fiber opticconnector storage apparatus comprising: an adapter housing defining asocket to receive and hold the connector housing, the adapter housingincluding a connector mounting structure configured to secure theconnector housing in the socket; and a dust cap portion integral withthe adapter housing and configured to receive and protect the exposedferrule when the connector housing is inserted into the socket.
 23. Thefiber optic connector storage apparatus of claim 22 wherein theconnector mounting structure includes a connector latch structureconfigured to interlock with the connector housing and thereby securethe connector housing in the socket.
 24. A fiber optic connector storageapparatus for storing a fiber optic connector having a connector housingand an exposed ferrule extending from the connector housing, the fiberoptic connector storage apparatus comprising: an adapter housingdefining a socket to receive and hold the connector housing; and a dustcap portion integral with the adapter housing and configured to receiveand protect the exposed ferrule when the connector housing is insertedinto the socket; wherein the dust cap portion is separately formed fromand coupled to the adapter housing.